Diwali to turn little subdued this time

This Diwali could well turn out to be more colourful and less noisy.

Representatives from the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers' Association, Sivakasi, have indicated that manufacturers are looking at producing fireworks that adhere to the Supreme Court's ruling on decibel levels.

The SC had two month's back passed orders that noise levels from firecrackers should be below 125 decibels.

At a global level, India is not a major producer of fireworks. The world demand for fireworks, according to S Maheswaran, the president of association, is an estimated Rs 10,000 crore.

India's annual production is around Rs 700 crore, inclusive of taxes close to Rs 1,000 crore. "A very negligible portion of our production is exported," he said.

Maheswaran said China's annual production was close to Rs 5,000 crore of which only Rs 1,500 crore was consumed within the country and the rest exported.

Producers around the world account for the balance Rs 4,000 crore.

"The Chinese invented fireworks and have mastered the craft over the years. Today five provinces in China support this industry in a big way, giving them an edge over competition from the rest of the world," Maheswaran said.

He further said in China fireworks manufactures had to just complete the manufacturing part. Right from providing incentive for setting up plants to marketing, every aspect of the business is taken care of by the provinces.

Reacting to recent media reports on the issue of employing child labour in the industry, Maheswaran said, "A few units outside the organised sector indulge in employing child labour. In fact, these units give us a bad name by breaking every rule from labour laws, trademark to safety norms."

Sivakasi, which accounts for 80 per cent of the Rs 1,000 fireworks industry in India, has over 400 units.

"Only 50 per cent of these units, which account for 70 per cent of the value of business, are members of the association. What happens outside this organised segment is hardly in our control," he said.

The firework manufacturers in Sivakasi, Maheswaran said, are working closely with the government agencies to ensure that decibel levels are well within stipulated limits.

"There might be instances where we would be touching 130 db but in the coming years more than 60 per cent of the fireworks would cater to demand for colourful crackers and less of sound."